By Blake Jackson
Pennsylvania lawmakers, agricultural organizations and industry representatives recently toured Penn State’s University Park facilities to learn how university research is helping address challenges and create new opportunities across the state’s agricultural sector.
The September 16, 2026, Legislative Research Tour was organized by the College of Agricultural Sciences and Penn State Ag Council.
The event featured research involving crop improvement, turfgrass development, sustainable crop protection and fermentation technology, while demonstrating how scientific discoveries can progress from research facilities to practical agricultural applications.
“As Pennsylvania’s sole land-grant university, Penn State has a unique responsibility,” said Troy Ott, Peter and Ann Tombros Dean of the College of Agricultural Sciences. “We are entrusted with public resources to conduct research, educate future leaders, and ensure that discoveries ultimately reach the people and industries we serve. That’s what makes a tour like this so important — it provides insight into how Penn State research can move from an idea to a discovery to something that creates real-world impact.”
At Penn State’s plant science facilities, Jonathan Bonfiglio, a postdoctoral scholar and co-founder of PennSelect Seeds, described efforts to develop improved tomato varieties.
The company builds on decades of tomato breeding and genetics research led by Penn State and works with growers, researchers and processors to evaluate varieties under real farm conditions. Researchers consider characteristics such as fruit color, flavor, disease resistance, yield, and overall market performance.
The group also visited the Joseph E. Valentine Turfgrass Research Center, where David Huff explained more than three decades of work improving Poa annua, or annual bluegrass, for golf courses. His research contributed to PennPoa LLC, which supplies turf seed intended to provide stress tolerance and dependable performance for putting greens and fairways.
Tim McNellis, associate professor of plant pathology and environmental microbiology and founder of Immunagreen, discussed research into biological crop protection. His work seeks alternatives to antibiotics for managing bacterial diseases such as fire blight in apple trees and aims to develop sustainable biopesticide technologies.
Participants also toured the CSL Behring Fermentation Facility, where Director Mekala Venkatachalam explained how the pilot plant supports microbial research and pilot-scale production for university, government and industry partners.
State Rep. Michael Stender highlighted the importance of specialty-crop research, particularly for tomato processors and fruit growers in his district.
“It’s interesting to learn about how Penn State research is helping those businesses grow and succeed right here in Pennsylvania,” Stender said. “When we talk agriculture, a lot of people in Pennsylvania forget that agriculture is our No. 1 industry. It is helpful for me to see what’s occurring with Pennsylvania tax dollars, and it’s even better when we see the positive effects a university such as Penn State can have on our different sectors.”
The tour also brought together students, faculty and industry leaders to strengthen collaboration and demonstrate how agricultural research and education can benefit Pennsylvania communities.
State Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski praised the experience, saying, “Every Pennsylvanian should come to Penn State and see the incredible innovation, instruction and research. Their tax dollars and investment dollars are being used wisely. If they were to come to Penn State, I know they would be extremely proud, just like I am.”
Photo Credit: michael-houtz
Categories: Pennsylvania, Education, Government & Policy